Course description

A common presenting issue in a sex therapist’s office involves conflicts with sexual desire. A desire discrepancy means that one partner has a higher interest in sexual activity than the other. This course examines common reasons why individuals refuse sex, even in otherwise happy and well-functioning relationships. The course will teach you how to differentiate normal differences in desire from diagnosable disorders of sexual functioning. Specific attention is given to common gender differences in sexuality, and common treatment approaches for differences in sexual desire.

1.5 Hours CE. Recorded Video Format (non-interactive)

Content advisory: Given the nature of the course, it necessarily includes discussion of specific sexual behavior. Discretion is advised. The course includes brief discussions of sexual assault, in the context of trauma history and in the context of fantasy. To protect confidentiality, case examples may include fictionalized elements.

Learning objectives

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

  • Identify at least four common reasons why people say no to sex

  • Describe at least three competing theories of sexual arousal

  • Differentiate a couple with different levels of normal sexual desire from couples where one partner has a diagnosable disorder

  • Describe at least three common treatment approaches for couples with differing levels of sexual desire

Course outline

1. Treatment Challenges

2. Reasons People Say No to Sex

3. Competing Theories of Sexual Arousal 

a. Masters & Johnson’s Theory

b. Linear Models and the DSM

c. Rosemary Basson’s Model

d. Stephanie Buehler Systems Model

e. PLISSIT Treatment Model

f. Bowen and Schnarch Systems Models

4. Common Gender Differences in Interest and Arousal

5. Distinguishing Differences from Disorders

6. Treatment Approaches

a. Medical

b. Communication

c. Mindfulness

d. Sensate Focus

e. Combating Boredom

References

Instructor

Lisa Elieson, MA, LPC-S

Lisa Elieson, MA is a Texas Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and an AASECT-Certified Sex Therapist in private practice. She has more than 20 years of clinical experience, and specializes in treating couples struggling in their sexual relationships.

Additional Information

Format and Length:

Recorded video format (non-interactive). Total running time 90 minutes.

Topic Area:

Clinical Practice

Instructional Level:

Intermediate

Completion Requirements:

To obtain your CE certificate, you must progress through all course segments, complete a satisfaction survey, and obtain a score of 80% or higher on a course completion quiz. The course completion quiz can be retaken multiple times until passed.

Completion Quiz and Course Evaluation:

After watching course videos, the course completion quiz will be available to complete, followed by the course evaluation.

Who Should Attend:

Psychologists, counselors, masters or doctoral level clinical social workers, and marriage and family therapists.

Publication and Review Dates:

Course Published: April 9, 2021 

Financial Support Statement:

SimplePractice Learning pays course presenters for their teaching. There is no other financial support for this course.

Conflict of Interest Statement:

There is no potential conflict of interest or outside commercial support for this course.

Refund Policy:

Click here to see our policies on attendance, refunds, grievances, and accessibility, and other frequently asked questions. Click here to contact us or submit a grievance.

Contact Information:

For any inquiries related to subject matter guidance, correction, grading, comments, or problem resolution please contact us.

System Requirements:

Please ensure your device meets our system requirements.

Continuing Education Approvals:

SimplePractice is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. SimplePractice maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This course provides 1.5 hours of continuing education (1.5 CE credits) for psychologists.

SimplePractice has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6961. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. SimplePractice is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

SimplePractice has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6961. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. SimplePractice is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

SimplePractice, #1749, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Simple Practice maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 07/06/2021 – 07/06/2024. Social workers participating in this course will receive 1.5 continuing education credits in the Clinical topic area.

SimplePractice is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LPCCs, LCSWs, and LEPs (CAMFT CEPA provider #145276). SimplePractice maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This course meets the qualifications for 1.5 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.

SimplePractice is approved as a Rule/Statute Approved Provider of Continuing Education by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling. Note that we do not automatically report CE completion to CE Broker at this time, so certificates of completion must be manually uploaded. Click here for more information.

SimplePractice LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0582. 

SimplePractice LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0030.

SimplePractice LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0091.

SimplePractice LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0206.

This course is not part of our continuing education program approved through NAADAC. Click here to view our complete CE approval information, or check out our collection of NAADAC approved courses.